I'm going from what I've read and seen in old highlights. Even compared to some guards of today, Robertson was a very well built shooting guard at 6,5 210-220. In today's game, he could easily skip up 225-235. This gave him the ability to be a superb post player and playing with his back to basket, just had so much power in his game. He could also drive to basket, very well. Moreover, in today's game, I could see him averaging around 7 to 10+ rebounds a game for his career in today's game. He certainly has the size to be a great rebounding guard. Comparable to Jason Kidd, but much better though in that aspect. He has unflinching, super reliable jumper, and even a modest fade-away. Not a 3 point range shooter, like West or Pistol Pete, but pretty good inside the arc. He'd probably be the only guard you see in league with consistent 20-10-10, 30-10-10, and 20-20-20 type games. Passing wise, he might be the greatest passer ever. He could throw out jaw-dropping dimes comparable to Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, and Steve Nash. Also, remember Big O was averaging over 9 assists in the 60s. Over the years, it's often been noted that the league (scorekeepers) were becoming very lenient on assist, typically it was based on catching and shooting (mostly dunks and layups), no dribbles at all. Think Euroleague. In the modern NBA, last 30 years or so, a receiving player can actually dribble, especially if there's a direct path to the basket. Even feeds are sometimes counted as assist (someone even brought up Rafer getting assists for feeding Yao in post with his back turned to the basket and even took a few dribbles). http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=787527&sid=e557016326b539872e44d127c8702950 http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=787527&start=60 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123855027541776617.html Ignore that thing about Tyreke Evans http://bleacherreport.com/articles/358279-tyreke-evans-the-closest-thing-to-oscar-robertson Play-making wise, he was definitely in the same class with say MJ, Bird, or LeBron. With the type of diverse athletes and players in today's game, he could make a pretty good team out of some mediocre teams out there, like Minnesota or Toronto. Even in the Rockets, I would give any player up on our team right now for Oscar Robertson in his prime or younger days. Unlike alot of players we have now, he would actually be a sure thing. His weakness was defense I get the sense, he was above average, but not all time great good. He may not be able to stop speed demons and forwards with alot of length. Sort of a bullish defender.
Was being sarcastic bro, hence the winkadink But I do subscribe to the theory that competition today in general is superior to anything before the 80's.
I agree for the most part. I think the best players could play in today's game and still be all stars, especially the big centers, like Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Lanier, Walt Bellamy, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Bill Walton, and Dave Cowens. I could see most current centers struggling royally with those guys. I could see Bob Pettit, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Connie Hawkins, Pete Maravich, George Gervin, Rick Barry, John Havlicek, Elvin Hayes, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe and few others doing really good. Mainly because most of them still even after 30 years have no equals in the way their games were made up. Though, when I do think when you start to move away from the elite players and pretty good all-stars is where the talent does tail off. When you start getting to players with average speed, average size, average defense (from the 70s), and less-multidimensional game. Those mild players are the one who probably couldn't keep up. Going up against players who are taller, more muscular, faster, and generally a bit more committed on defense. Compare really bad teams from different eras. People often will make the argument that teams in the past had more concentrated talent on them because of less teams. More times than not, fail to realize the talent pool in the amateur ranks tend to be much bigger compared to say 50s or 70s. Not just in this country, but overseas as well with more international imports coming into NBA. The draft used to be 10 rounds in those days, understandably, but are limited to 2 currently. Look at the examples below, 1. 65 Knicks vs. 11 Wizards, two really bad teams, not known to be great defensively. About even across the board, as far as statistics go. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1965.html http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/2011.html The Wizards are way more talented, indivdually and possibly team wise. Also, they're ahead in athleticism and the size battle. Also given that both teams are not well-oiled machines by any stretch of the imagination. The team with better physical talent probably wins, also give in the fact that the modern teams has more complicated schemes and plays. I disagree with Rosen, in several areas. I do agree with this point though, ". . . team defenses of the past have been succeeded by team defenses that place more of a premium on quickness, coordination and finesse. " Actually, I disagree with him that Kobe would average fewer points, then. No way, especially if we are talking about younger Kobe. If he were playing against Joe Dumars, Sidney Moncrief, Vernon Maxwell, or T.R. Dunn every night, maybe. Sort of like playing against Shane Battier, Jason Kidd, Bruce Bowen, or Andre Igoudala. But, there weren't alot of great defenders/great defensive teams in the league that could stop high powered shooting guard. Most players that are under 6,5 and weigh under 200 pounds, and lacking long arms, are ill-equipped to guard Kobe. Especially a player who has so many weapons in his arsenal. http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Mailbag:-Zones-haven't-made-defenses-stingier http://espn.go.com/page2/s/neel/030213.html http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/good-old-days-defense
The Chuckwagon is a better "lock-down" defender. Chucky Brown was able to come up big when needed, or challenged. Barkley learned this after asking, "Chucky who"?
Drexler would probably be the second most athletic person in the league behind Lebron if he were playing today. He could touch the top of the backboard. He also had Melo's post game, Lebron's passing, and picked up steals like Ron Artest. Drexler's jump shot was good enough where you had to respect it. He shot around 35% from the 3 point areas while he was playing in Houston.
How good was Artis Gilmore? Growing up, I played with an Artis Gilmore model ABA rubber ball until it was completely smooth, but I really don't know anything about him.
These highlights don't do The Doctor justice. Dunks are cool but ... In his prime, Doctor J was by far the quickest person on the court with amazing hops. A prime Doctor J would easily be a star in today's NBA and would be basically undefendable. A prime Doctor J is very comparable to a prime Jordan.
How good was Brian Cook? I heard he could put a negative arch on his shot and would still be able to cheer on the bench. Are the legends true?
A prime Dr. J is a freak of nature... but he is not comparable to MJ. Dr. J was not a very good shooter and had inconsistent handles. A Hall of Famer and an amazing athlete though... hard to keep under 20 pts a game.
Hall of Famer... huge man. Would get you 20/10 in his sleep. Not a great passer, not a great defender (was okay) and didn't really carry teams. He was very good early in his career. He is in the category with players like Mourning, Issel, Sikma, Yao, etc.
I'll add Dr. J in his early days, was a really good defender, in his later days not so much. About the last 7 seasons or so, he was in steady decline.
If he was so good then why is it that it was George Gervin who won four NBA scoring titles? Gervin is the guy people compare McGrady's game to: smooth, creative and fun to watch. BTW, Moses Malone also won a few rebounding titles, so yeah, Dr. J may have the coolest nickname ever but to give him the "pretty much" the sole reason credit is a little too much and is revision history on your part.
Revisionistic history is now a part of the Yao Ming era, how good was Ming Yao? Was he better than the best PF from his era? Chuck Norris Hayes. Or was Charles Barkley better, and I think is the Chuckwagon showing up next season with Courtney Lee?
